Families affected by the loss of a baby are being invited say goodbye to them at a service in Malmesbury Abbey.

Open to people of faith or no faith, whether their loss was recent or years ago, the event will be filled with music and poetry to help them find solace.

It is being staged by the Mariposa Trust, which was founded by Zoe and Andy Clark-Coates, who lost five babies and wanted to give other families the space to grieve.

"Our services are a wonderful opportunity for mothers, fathers, siblings and extended family to say goodbye to their babies and show they are truly loved and will always be missed.

"It’s our job at the Mariposa Trust to ensure every child is recognised, however fleeting their existence,” explained Zoe.

The trust provides free support to people affected by baby loss, pregnancy after baby loss, fertility, adoption and other issues.

One in four pregnancies in the UK end in baby loss and many parents suffer grief for years as a result.

One parent who went to a service said: "As I stood with other parents and proudly rang the bell for my 14 babies, I felt unbearable sadness but also a great privilege in being able to properly celebrate their existence.

"For the first time ever I felt my tears of grief, loss and love were allowed, shared and understood.”

The service is at 4.30pm on October 8.

Visit sayinggoodbye.org or mariposatrust.org for more more information about the services and the work of the charity.